Any narrative of the contemporary American residential market that neglects the continued proliferation of sprawl fails to describe the complex preferences of the public.
Environmentalists and urbanists concerned with the environmental, social, and economic impacts of sprawling have lots of reasons to be comforted by recent trends toward the city and away from post-war suburban models. According to an article by Kaid Benfield, however, the housing market is far more complex than a one-way shift toward urban living. His conclusion: "let's not pronounce sprawl dead just yet."
As for the larger implications of that conclusion, Benfield adds: "Mostly, I am struck by what seems to be a growing divide, as seems to be the case with so much of American life. Home sizes are increasing, but so are sales of micro apartments. Sprawl continues, but so does revitalization. Environmentalists should take all especially rosy – as well as all especially dire – predictions with appropriate caution."
FULL STORY: Let's Not Pronounce Sprawl Dead Just Yet
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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